Autopsy: Enlarged heart caused Oregon State player's death

CORVALLIS, Ore.
(AP)
–
A medical examiner says an Oregon State defensive tackle who collapsed and died during a pickup basketball game had an enlarged heart.

AP

This undated image provided by the Oregon State University shows freshman football player Fred Thompson who was playing basketball on campus Wednesday Dec. 7, 2011 when he collapsed. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This undated image provided by the Oregon State University shows freshman football player Fred Thompson who was playing basketball on campus Wednesday Dec. 7, 2011 when he collapsed. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Dr. Karen Gunson said Friday that the 19-year-old had increased thickness of the heart muscle, which can cause an irregular heartbeat during strenuous exercise. She says the condition is a common cause of death in young athletes who seem completely healthy but die during heavy exercise.

Thompson's family asked that his skin, bones and eyes be donated.

Thompson spent this season recovering from shoulder surgery and was considered a grayshirt, but he was expected to compete for a starting role.

His heart condition is known formally as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

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